During the last few years, we have been teaching online Tango Arranging to musicians who requested our writing services before. Now they can write their own arrangements in a professional level. Due to the success of this lessons, we decided to offer the same course to everyone who wants to write original arrangements.
Get the tools
Tangoideas wants to provide you with tools to develop your creativity through the writing of arrangements. That is why this course is thought and designed step by step with the aim of delving into each of the musical aspects in the art of arranging, from solo instruments to large ensembles.
The techniques learned will be useful for both classical and contemporary styles.
Become a solid arranger
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Reharmonize original compositions
- Apply proven arranging concepts in all the major tango styles
- Write rhythmic and melodic variations
- Analyze the role of each section of the Typical Orchestra
- Orchestrate for any tipe of ensemble
- Understand how harmony works into a composition
- Analyze the work of the greatest Tango arrangers
- Understand the main aspects of Milonga and Vals
- Identify the characteristic functions of the rhythm section through marking models
- Understand the language of the vanguard in Tango (Piazzolla and Salgán)
- Write complete, original arrangements for any type of ensemble in any style.
Examples and Analysis from real Scores
Choose what you want to learn
We know that every musician has different levels of knowledge, so we decided to offer this course in modules. Although we recommend taking the full course to have a better understanding, if you are only interested in a part, you can customize it by selecting the modules you want, at a different price.
The course in detail
2 teachers
The course is taught by both teachers, who complement each other while providing the contents
8 Modules
We have divided the contents into 8 Modules or Units, covering all the main elements and techniques that you need to write arrangements
Live Chats for each module
2-hours via Zoom with the teachers (16 hours of Live Chats). It can be individual or shared with other musicians or members of a same project
Assignments
Each module has an assignment where you will put in practice the concepts. Both teachers will review them and give a detailed feedback
2 Languages
We offer the course both in English and Spanish
Access to online content trhough our learning platform
Once you apply to the Tango Arranging course you have access to our learning platform, where you will be able to review all the content seen during the classes. Also you will be able to receive updates, submit your assignments and make questions to your teachers.
Requeriments
In order to take advantage of this course, you need to read and write music and understand chords, scales and modes. Although we will work on reharmonization, this is not a Harmony course. Knowledge of digital notation software such as Sibelius is recommended, but not required. You will also need a good internet connection and webcam for Live Chats.
Opinions from our students
Table of contents
- The creative process
- Standards – Our starting point
- Melody and phrasing
- Reharmonization
- Inversions
- Secondary dominants
- II relative
- Pedal point
- Assignment
- Form analysis
- Form diagrams
- Marking models – The rhythm in accompaniment
- Marcato
- Syncopation
- Pesante
- 3-3-2
- Polyrhythm
- “Umpa-umpa”
- Bordoneo
- Half notes
- Choral
- Marking models chart
- Assignment
- Bassline design in Tango
- Link phrases: Avoiding rests
- Types of link phrases
- Melodic
- Harmonic
- Rhythmic
- Basslines
- Combined
- Examples from recordings
- Assignment
- Melody harmonization: Going for a bigger sound
- Parallel 3rds and/or 6ths
- Contrary motion (counterpoint)
- Harmonization in blocks
- Secondary melody (countermelody)
- Creating layers with countermelodies
- Types of secondary melodies
- Rhythmic and melodic variations
- Variations during solo/soli
- Assignment
- Milonga and Vals
- Types of milonga (Campera and Ciudadana)
- Patterns of accompaniment
- Bassline design
- The melody
- Marking models
- Bordoneo in Milonga
- Endings
- Link phrases
- Assignment
- Orchestration part 1
- The Strings section
- Block reharmonization
- Unison
- The role of the cello
- Divisi
- Bandoneons section
- Blocks reharmonization
- Unison
- The rhythmic-harmonic section (Piano + Double bass)
- Tutti/Soli
- Resources fo solos
- Assignment
- Orchestration part 2
- Combining sections
- Working with 2 and 3 Layers
- Examples and analysis from scores
- Extended techniques for each instrument
- Assignment
- The renewing movement
- The language of Horacio Salgán
- The language of Astor Piazzolla
- Rhythm, harmony and melody
- Score analysis
- Assignment